Sun-Mar EXCEL User manual

5370 South Service Road 600 Main Street
Burlington Ontario Tonawanda New York
Canada 7 5 1
Customer Service 1-888-341-0782 ext 218
U.S.A. 14150
Clearing Up a Clogged Drum Screen in the Excel
A clogged drum screen is caused by compost drying onto the expanded stainless steel screen that is located in the
bottom of the drum. The purpose of this screen is to allow excess liquid to evacuate into the bottom of the unit
for evaporation. Once this screen becomes clogged, you will note that the compost in the drum contains a lot of
liquid and will smell when the drum is turned. You will also note that there is dirty liquid in the finishing drawer
after turning the drum. This liquid overflows into the evaporation chamber and can cause the over-flow drains to
become clogged.
A clogged drum screen is a direct result of a maintenance error and is caused by one of the following issues: 1)
Compost too dry: When compost is too dry, lignin will leach out and adhere to the drum screen. 2) Compost drum
too full: If the level of compost in the drum is allowed to become too full, the weight of the compost causes
compacting on the drum screen. 3) Contents of drum turned infrequently: The drum should be turned every
second day, six complete revolutions of the drum to mix and aerate. If the drum contents are not turned
frequently, the compost will pack and dry to the drum screen.
You will Require
1 - ong Handled Wire Brush
1- Nail or screwdriver
1- Pair Rubber Gloves
1-Compost Quick
Masking tape
Action
1. Turn the handle 3 complete turns in a clockwise direction and slide the handle
back in place under the seat. The opening in the drum will no longer be visible.
2. ift the toilet seat and remove the black bowl liner.
3. ocate the drum screen. The drum screen will now be positioned under the
‘hump’ behind the toilet seat. See figure 1.
4. Spray the drum screen well with Compost Quick and let sit for 30 minutes. Figure 1
5. With a long handled wire brush, slide your hand into the opening under the seat,
along the top of the drum. See figure 2.
6. Vigorously scour the drum screen with the brush. If the drum screen is severely
encrusted with debris, it may be necessary to use a nail or screwdriver to poke
through each hole in the drum.
7. When the drum screen is free of debris, turn the handle until the hole in the drum Figure 2
is visible under the seat. Remove the finishing drawer and visually inspect the drum screen.
There should be liquid dripping from the drum screen. If there is not liquid dripping from the
drum screen, repeat the above procedures.
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Alternate Action
1. Tape the handle under the seat with masking tape.
2. (Electric Units) Disconnect the vent pipe. Use the sharp knife to cut the silicone seal on
the vent and pull the vent from the fan assembly.
3. Use sharp knife to pry the eight snap caps from around the fan/access panel plate,
exposing the screws.
4. Use Phillips screw driver to remove the eight screws and gently pull the fan plate
away from the unit, and set aside for re-use. The fan will still be tethered to the unit by
the power cord.
5. Rotate the drum until the drum screen is visible through the opening where the
fan/access panel plate was removed.
6. Spray the drum screen well with Compost Quick and let sit for 30 minutes.
7. With a long handled wire brush, slide your hand into the opening and vigorously scour
the drum screen with the brush. If the drum screen is severely encrusted with debris, it may
be necessary to use a nail or screwdriver to poke through each hole in the drum.
8. When the drum screen is free of debris, rotate the drum so that the drum screen is at the
bottom. Remove the finishing drawer and illuminate the bottom of the behind the drawer
with a flash light, there should be liquid dripping from the drum screen.
If there is not liquid dripping from the drum screen, repeat the above procedures.
Once you are satisfied that the drum screen is open, replace the fan assembly/access door.
Replacing the fan/access panel plate assembly
1. The back of the crank shaft is seated in the fan assembly. To ensure that the handle
ends up in the desired position, it is essential that it should be taped in place. If you do
not have tape, you may wish to have someone hold the handle in place under the seat
while you install the fan.
Ensure that the hole in the drum is lined up with the opening under the toilet seat.
2. ine up the holes in the fan/access panel plate with the holes in the top of the unit and insert
screws into the holes. This is easier if one screw is first insert in one corner and then the
corner opposite (i.e. upper left corner, followed by bottom right corner).
3. Tighten screws, being careful not to over tighten. Over tightening the screws may lead to the
screw holes becoming stripped and the screw will no longer have enough material to attach to.
4. (Electric Units) Attach the vent pipe and seal the connection with silicone caulking.
Change your bulking mixture for 1 month to Compost Sure Blue. This will provide the porosity to allow the excess
liquid to drain from your compost. Compost in the drum will recover in approximately 1 month.
See also: Clogged Drains PDF
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CS112016